Tropical Storm Katrina Moves Toward Florida

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Katrina formed Wednesday morning in the Bahamas and could reach hurricane strength before hitting the coast of Florida later this week, the National Hurricane Center said.

A tropical storm watch was posted for a 200-mile stretch of Florida’s east coast from the Seven Mile Bridge in the Keys north to Vero Beach, meaning tropical storm conditions were likely within 36 hours.

"It’s time for South Florida to start taking precautions," said Eric Blake, a hurricane center meteorologist.

At 8 a.m., the season’s 11th named storm had sustained wind of 40 mph and was centered about 70 miles southeast of Nassau, about 250 miles east-southeast of Florida. It was moving toward the northwest at 8 mph.

Katrina could reach hurricane strength, with sustained wind blowing at 74 mph, before making landfall Thursday, the hurricane center said.

The storm is expected to cross the state and head into the Gulf of Mexico, and could drop a foot or more of rain in places.

Florida was hit by Tropical Storm Cindy and Hurricane Dennis earlier this year, and was struck by four hurricanes last year.

In an average year, only a few tropical storms develop by this time in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

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On the Net:

Nat’l Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/